Chapter 188:- Meeting Ryukyuu

"Because I am Thanatos," said Izuku as he showed his face.

Ryukyu's eyes widened in shock as she recognized the face before her. "You're... Thanatos? But you're Toji, the star of UA and the winner of the sports festival," she stammered, unable to believe what she was seeing.

Momo stood beside him, her expression serious. "This isn't a joke, Ryukyu-san. This is the truth."

Ryukyu felt a mix of confusion and betrayal. "What does this mean? Are you two making fun of me?"

Izuku, his expression calm but intense, shook his head. "No, Ryukyu. This is serious. Think about it. Who do you think helped Momo when pro heroes were involved in her parents' killings? Who do you think can protect her when it's pro heroes who want her dead?"

Ryukyu couldn't find the words to respond. She had trusted the hero system, believed in it. But now, faced with the reality of corruption and betrayal, she was at a loss.

Izuku's voice grew harsher. "Is this what being a pro hero means? Killing people for money? Setting such an example for future generations?" He pointed to Momo.

"Look at her. She's alive and smiling because of me. I protected her. Otherwise, she'd be buried somewhere, killed by some second-rate pro heroes. Whether her dignity remained intact or she was raped would be a question too luxurious for her to ask when death is in front of her."

Ryukyu's eyes filled with tears. She couldn't deny the truth in his words. She had never thought about the darker side of the hero world, but now she was forced to confront it.

Izuku continued, "Every killing I've done was of heroes involved in shady businesses. I haven't laid a hand on any innocent hero. You wanted to make a world where tragic events like what happened to you and Momo don't repeat. Which hero is willing to do that or help you in that?"

Ryukyu remained silent, unable to answer. She had always believed in the hero system, but now she saw its flaws and the damage it caused.

"What about the Aldera incident?" she asked quietly. "Why would you do such a thing to kids and other facilities?"

"They had it coming," Izuku replied bluntly. "If they can treat a mere kid like that just because he's quirkless, then neither are they good role models or teachers, nor are the kids worthy of being heroes. They would indulge in corruption, not get rid of it."

Izuku justified his actions, explaining how he freed the heteromorphs in Fukuoka, who were oppressed by local authorities and pro heroes, and the girls in Hiroshima, who were sold into sex trafficking by Fourth Kind.

"Which of them was right? As a heteromorph yourself, are you okay with other heteromorphs getting treated less than humans just because they're in a backward city and you're in a modern city or suburbs? Or freeing the girls from being sold for sex trafficking by a pro hero—was that wrong?"

Ryukyu shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "No, it wasn't wrong."

Izuku's voice softened. "My actions may have been harsh, but now Fukuoka respects heteromorphs equally, and the women of Hiroshima are free and safe from a sex trafficker who treated them as nothing more than sex slaves. Which of my actions has negatively affected society?"

Ryukyu sat in silence, absorbing his words. She couldn't help but agree with his actions. She felt disgusted with herself for calling herself a hero when she was unaware of the terrible things heroes had been doing in other cities.

She looked at Izuku, a mixture of respect and sorrow in her eyes. "I'm sorry, I was too hasty to jump to the conclusion. I'm sorry for what pro heroes have done so far, as a fellow pro hero I apologise for what they have done until now.

I once again apologise to you as well Momo, I understand now. You're doing what's necessary and needed to be done. I want to help. I want to make a real difference, I want to make sure no one suffers due to pro heroes again, so please let me know how I can help you."

Izuku nodded, a small smile forming on his face. "What you need to do is let no one know of our meeting, if the heroes find out about my or her involvement in anything then inform us, as for where you can help, I'll let you know when the time comes, till then continue doing your hero work."

While on the other hand, Masato Uchiyama sat beside his wife's bed, her pale face etched with pain. Her breathing was shallow, and Masato felt a constant ache in his heart watching her suffer. A soft knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.

Curious, Masato got up and opened the door to find a man standing there, carrying a small bag. "Can I help you?" Masato asked, puzzled.

The man gave a small bow. "I've been sent to help your wife. May I come in?"

Masato hesitated but nodded, stepping aside to let the man enter. "Who sent you?" he asked.

The man walked over to his wife, Aya, gently examining her. "A friend who wanted to repay a debt," he said, pulling out various instruments from his bag.

"What are you doing?" Masato asked, anxiety creeping into his voice.

The man glanced up. "I'm here to heal her. Please trust me."

Masato watched, torn between hope and disbelief, as the man worked with practiced precision. Within minutes, a warm glow surrounded Aya's body. Slowly, color returned to her cheeks, and her breathing steadied. Her eyes fluttered open, clear and bright.

"Masato?" she whispered, her voice stronger than it had been in months.

Masato gasped, tears welling up in his eyes. "You're awake! You're... you're better!" He turned to the man, overwhelmed. "Who are you? Why did you help us? How can we ever repay you?"

The man reached into his pocket and handed Masato a folded piece of paper. "No need to do anything. Read this."

Masato unfolded the note, his hands trembling. It read:

"This is to repay the kindness you showed me with all the medicines you provided, often at your own expense, but never told me, knowing I wouldn't allow you to do that. Thank you for looking after me when no one else did."

Masato's heart pounded. "Izuku," he whispered, tears streaming down his face. "There's no mistake in it, there's no one else who can do this, or anyone who knows about it," as he remembered the time when Izuku said, "When I become a pro hero, I will heal your wife for free and repay this kindness," which brought tears of joy to him as he said, "He kept his promise!"

Masato looked at the man who healed his wife as he asked, "How's Izuku doing? Where is he? Is he good?"

"I'm sorry but I'm not authorized to know any of this information. I was told to heal the lady here and hand this paper to you that I did. I'm not the right person to ask these questions," said the man as he bowed down.

The man continued, "Boss has also asked me to relocate you. This city is going to be a battleground soon. Staying here isn't safe for your family. I will ensure everything from your transportation to your accommodation in Hiroshima. You just need to trust my boss."

Aya, now sitting up, looked at the man in astonishment. "Is it the same Izuku you always talked about?" she asked, her eyes glistening with tears.

Masato nodded, barely able to speak. "Yes, it's the same one."

Just then their daughter, Saki, burst into the room, her eyes wide with shock. "Mom! You're healed!" she cried, rushing to her mother and hugging her tightly. "Who did this?"

Masato, still holding the note, explained everything, his voice filled with gratitude and emotion. Saki listened, tears streaming down her face as she clung to her mother.

"You don't need to work part-time anymore," Masato said softly, brushing a tear from Saki's cheek. "This man will escort us out of the city to Hiroshima."

The man interjected, "No need to hurry. Pack the things you need. I will come back in one week to escort you. Until then, don't tell anyone about this and stay in Hiroshima for your safety."

Masato and his family nodded, their hearts heavy with gratitude and relief.

After the man left, Saki looked at Masato, her eyes still filled with questions. "Dad, is it really the same Izuku? Why do you trust him so much? How can you be sure he doesn't want to harm us?"

Masato smiled gently. "Izuku healed your mom without asking for anything in return, just as he promised. The doctors here took thousands of yen from us and did nothing. I trust that kid. I've been seeing him for three years; I know he just wants our good. He's kind-hearted, that's why I trust him."

Aya added, "Yes, dear, even though I haven't met him, I can feel Izuku means no harm and is only trying to help us, repaying the kindness your dad showed him when no one else did. He's the same age as you; he's just like a son to me. Let's trust him, okay?"

Saki finally understood, nodding happily as she hugged her mother again. Seeing her mother lively was enough proof that Izuku didn't want to harm them. Knowing her mom was well again brought her immense joy, and she couldn't ask for anything more.

Masato noticed the envelope the man left behind. Inside was a large sum of money and a note that read, "Make sure your family is happy. This is my gift to them. Let them buy whatever they want with this. I'll fill your lives with so much joy you'll forget what misery is."

Masato read the note aloud. Aya's eyes filled with tears of joy as she clutched Saki tightly. "I am really glad for everything he has done for us. Saki, remember, God helps those who help others. You should always help others and never discriminate. Whatever we are receiving today is because your dad was kind to Izuku, and now we are reaping the benefits."

Saki nodded happily. "Yeah, Mom, I promise I'll help people around me just like Dad did."

Masato smiled at his daughter, proud of her kind heart. "That's my girl," he said. "Kindness always comes back to us in ways we can't imagine."

To which both Aya and Saki nodded.

Masato couldn't help but smile. "Since Aya is all healed, let's go out for dinner at her favorite restaurant."

"Yayyyy!" Saki cheered, getting ready to go for dinner.

Aya nodded as she said, "Make sure to tell Izuku to visit our home once, I wish to thank him personally for everything he has done for us," to which Masato nodded as she got ready to go out while Masato couldn't help but smile, thanking Izuku in his mind again and again.

After returning from dinner they began packing their bags, tears of joy and relief flowing freely, as they were happy to start a new chapter of their life.

[Author's Note:

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